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Literary Elements 0 Epic – a long narrative poem, sometimes developed orally, that celebrates the deeds of a legendary or heroic figure. Epics are among the earliest forms of literature.

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Common Features of an Epic 0 The Hero battles forces that threaten the order of his world. 0 The story is told in a serious manner, often in special, elevated language

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Literary Elements 0 Kennings – two-word poetic renamings of people, places, and things, such as the kenning whales’ home for the sea 0 Caesuras – rhythmic breaks in the middle of lines, where the reciter could pause for breath

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Kennings 0 There are many kennings in “The Battle with Grendel” 0 Kennings are descriptive, poetical expressions used instead of the simple name of a person or thing. The word comes from the Scandinavian words Kenne vith, which mean “to name after”. 0

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Why Kennings? 0 The primary purpose was to maintain the alliteration required by Anglo-Saxon verse. 0 According to convention, one of the accented syllables after the caesura, (a pause in a line of verse) has to alliterate with at least one of the accented syllables in the first half of the line.

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Things to learn 0 How to paraphrase – identify the key details in a passage and restate them in your own words 0 What is a legendary hero? He is a larger-than-life character whose accomplishments are celebrated in traditional tales. Beowulf’s boastful self-confidence,, his feats of strength, and his victories in battle make him a classic legendary hero

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Paraphrase 0 “the monster’s thoughts were as quick as his greed or claws” 0 This phrase could mean 0 “the monster has intelligence”

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Paraphrase 0 So the living sorrow Healfdane’s son/Simmered, bitter and fresh, and no wisdom/Or strength could break it; that agony hung/On king and people alike…” 0 Could mean 0 Hrothgar felt an endless sorrow he couldn’t get rid of

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Beowulf 0 Wiglaf believes that he and his fellow soldiers should help Beowulf fight the dragon because in the past they had promised to repay Beowulf’s kindness with their lives

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Beowulf 0 When Beowulf is dying, he gives Wiglaf his gold necklace to indicate that Wiglaf will be the next ruler of Geatland

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Beowulf 0 Caesura – example 0 “Burns like a torch. No one knows its bottom” 0 Hint: it has a pause in the middle of the line

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Paraphrase 0 --then the sword/Melted, blood-soaked, dripping down/Like water, disappearing like ice when the world’s/Eternal Lord loosens invisible/Fetters and unwinds icicles and frost… 0 Could mean 0 The sword melted like icicles do when God warms them

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Beowulf 0 It is ironic that the Geats build a tower to memorialize Beowulf because they all deserted him in his battle with the dragon

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What does this mean? 0 …they could hack at Grendel/From every side, trying to open/A path for his evil soul, but their points/Could not hurt him. 0 The bold phrase could mean 0 That they were trying to kill Grendel by opening him up and giving a way for his soul to be released

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Beowulf 0 Called “noble protector of all seamen”, Beowulf is know by his 0 KENNING